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File contributed to the McLean County ILGenWeb Project
Copyright 2008, all rights reserved.
These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format
without the written consent of the author, ilmcleanvcc@gmail.com.
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Source: The Good Old Times in McLean County, Illinois
Dr. E. Duis, The Leader Publishing and Printing House - 1874
Contributed by: Carol Genung
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WILLIAM H. ALLIN Biography
William H. Allin was born in 1818, in Indiana. When he was quite small his father removed to Vandalia, Illinois,
where he remained until the spring of 1829, when he came to Bloomington, Illinois. Mr. Allin was a great favorite
with all with whom he was acquainted. He was remarkable for his business talent, and he was pre-eminently remarkable for his honesty.
One of his friends has happily described him thus:
"Possessing naturally a strong and vigorous intellect, with good discriminating powers both as to men and measures, and with a
large development of the moral faculties, he seems to have entered upon the active duties of life with the fixed purpose of hewing
his way successfully through by an adherence to that great cardinal virtue, honesty, which is the only sure basis of ultimate success,
and which was undoubtedly the leading trait of his character."
Mr. Allin was remarkable not only for his honesty but for his energy. When he was only ten years of age his father sent him on
horseback to Springfield to enter some land. At that time the roads were scarce and the bridges were scarcer, and young William was
sent across the prairie. It was necessary to do this, as his father had heard that a neighbor of his was trying to get the start of him,
and enter the same land. Young William made the journey successfully, and entered the land. Just as he was coming out of the land office
the rival neighbor met him and asked "how he got there?" Young William replied that he came across the prairie. The gentleman did not feel
pleasant at being outwitted by a child ten years of age.
In the year 1850, the Whigs of McLean County nominated Mr. Allin for the office of Circuit Clerk. At their earnest solicitations he accepted
the nomination, as it was impossible for them to agree on any other man, and he was elected. But after one year's service he resigned in favor
of his brother, who was deputy.
In the winter of 1838 Mr. Allin married Miss Judith A. Major, and his married life was remarkably happy. He was a kind and faithful
husband and a loving father.
Mr. Allin was a man of medium size, slenderly built, healthy complexion, rather light hair, sharp-pointed nose, and dark, penetrating eyes.
He was very polite in his manners, and a favorite with all with whom he had anything to do.